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In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Taya Brown to unpack the hidden world behind one of the most familiar drinks on the planet - coffee. While Taya isn’t a coffee farmer herself, she has spent years working closely with smallholder coffee farmers in Central America, listening to their experiences and studying how global systems shape their livelihoods. We talk about coffee as a plant, an agricultural product, and a complex global system — from seasonality and growing practices to pricing, certification, and distribution. Along the way, we explore why coffee costs what it does, how it moves from farm to cup, and what it really means to be a conscientious coffee drinker. This conversation makes it clear that the cup of coffee you’re holding is just the tip of the iceberg. To learn more about Taya’s work and the Del Fuego Project, visit delfuegoproject.org. 🌱 Connect with Talkin’ Dirt Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@TalkinDirtPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Talkin.Dirt⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TalkinDirt.farm⁠

In this episode of Talkin’ Dirt, I sit down with my longtime friend Richie Stephenson, who’s been growing a home garden for his family for the past several years. Richie isn’t a farmer by trade, but we talk about what first got him into gardening, what his early years looked like, and how long it took before things really started to click. He shares what he’s learned through trial and error, why he’s considering raised beds, and how growing food at home has changed the way his family thinks about what they eat. We talk about how Richie got into canning his food and preserving harvests for later in the year. Along the way, we talk about how gardening fits into family life with his wife and son, and how even a small backyard garden can shape habits, values, and perspective around food. This conversation offers a grounded look at what it’s really like to grow a little food at home—and why you don’t need a farm to get started. 🌱 Connect with Talkin’ Dirt Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@TalkinDirtPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Talkin.Dirt⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TalkinDirt.farm⁠

In this episode I’m joined by Lake Cowart Jr. of Cowart Seafood Corporation, one of the largest oyster operations on the East Coast. We talk about how oysters are grown today, the role hatcheries and triploid oysters play in modern aquaculture, and how factors like salinity, weather, disease, and predators shape production in the Chesapeake Bay. Lake also shares his perspective on regulation, why Virginia’s leasing system works, and how water quality and industry collaboration are improving conditions on the water. This is my second recent conversation with an oyster farmer, and together the episodes highlight just how diverse and complex this industry really is. 🌱 Connect with Talkin’ Dirt Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@TalkinDirtPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Talkin.Dirt⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TalkinDirt.farm⁠

In this episode, I sit down with Glen, one of the founding members of Seattle’s Beacon Food Forest - a community-run, open forage garden built on public land with a mission rooted in food access, food sovereignty, and shared stewardship. Glen walks through how the project started, how they leveraged Seattle’s P-Patch program to get it off the ground, and how the Food Forest grew into a multi-layered landscape shaped by the community itself. They discuss how planting decisions are made, how harvest practices guide the evolution of the land, and how similar projects across the region support one another. Glen shares how the Food Forest is funded, the impact it’s had on the neighborhood, and the policy conversations that have emerged around public foraging and food security. The episode expands to bigger themes; the state of farming in Western Washington, the challenges local growers face, and what our food system and topsoil say about where things are headed. Glen closes with advice for anyone interested in starting a community driven project of their own. A grounded look at what can happen when public land, community energy, and shared values all grow in the same direction. 🌱 Connect with Talkin’ Dirt Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@TalkinDirtPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Talkin.Dirt⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TalkinDirt.farm⁠

In this episode, I visit the southern Oregon coast to sit down with Gavan, the young owner of Qualman Oyster Farm in Charleston. Since the recording he has renamed the operation to Augustin Ouster Farms. Gavan shares how he found his way into oyster farming and what it takes to operate inside the protected South Slough Estuary, where every oyster is hand-planted and every decision is shaped by tides, timing, and the quality of the mud beneath his feet. Gavan breaks down the essentials of growing oysters year-round, the challenges posed by invasive species like sand shrimp and green crabs, and how sustainability and regulation intersect — sometimes in helpful ways, sometimes not. He also talks about leasing estuary ground from the government, the science behind healthy shellfish beds, and how the industry can move forward with policies that support both farmers and ecosystems. It’s a thoughtful look at the future of oyster farming through the lens of someone who genuinely loves the work and is committed to building something meaningful on the Oregon coast. 🌱 Connect with Talkin’ Dirt Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@TalkinDirtPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Talkin.Dirt⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TalkinDirt.farm⁠

In this episode of Talkin’ Dirt, I sit down with Michael from Lost Coast Ranch, tucked out on one of the most remote and rugged stretches of Northern California. Michael’s lived an adventurous, humble life across the region, and we talk about the path that eventually led him to the Lost Coast and the land he now stewards. He walks me through how he keeps healthy grass in such a harsh environment, from traditional ecological knowledge to pasture rotation, broadcast burns, and learning season by season. We also get into the realities of marketing beef out there, the challenges of organic labels, and the differences he sees between Wagyu and Angus cattle. Along the way, we even circle back to Sarah and Lee from Humboldt Grassfed Beef and the work they’re doing in the community. Recorded right on the Lost Coast, this conversation blends ranching, philosophy, and the history of the land in a way that only a place like this can bring out. 🌱 Connect with Talkin’ Dirt Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@TalkinDirtPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Talkin.Dirt⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TalkinDirt.farm

In this episode of Talkin’ Dirt, I sat down with Sarah and Lee from Humboldt Grassfed Beef, a fourth-generation family ranch in Northern California. We talked about what it really takes to raise cattle the right way — from managing healthy pastures to producing high-quality, grass-finished beef. They walk me through the ranch’s evolution over the years, the day-to-day realities of running a herd, and how good grazing practices translate into better soil, better beef, and a more resilient business. 🌱 Connect with Talkin’ Dirt Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@TalkinDirtPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Talkin.Dirt⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TalkinDirt.farm

This week on Talkin’ Dirt, I sit down with Franck Carisey from Uluwehi Coffee Farm, tucked into the green, cloud-covered slopes just above Kona, Hawai‘i. Franck and his partner have built a small but mighty operation producing award-winning coffee that captures the true character of the island. We talk about how they found themselves running a coffee farm in Kona, what makes the region’s growing conditions so distinct, and how subtle differences in microclimate translate into flavor. Franck also breaks down the differences between the varietals on his farm and the rhythm of a coffee season from bloom to harvest. This episode wraps up my Hawai‘i series — a journey filled with good people, good stories, and a whole lot of learning about what it means to farm with respect for the land. 🌱 Connect with Talkin’ Dirt Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@TalkinDirtPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Talkin.Dirt⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TalkinDirt.farm

In this episode of Talkin’ Dirt, I sit down with Dash from Starseed Ranch, a lush, coastal farm tucked into the northern side of Hawai‘i’s Big Island. What started years ago as a small coconut farm has grown into a thriving landscape that blends farming, education, and cultural restoration. We talk about the roots of Hip Agriculture, the nonprofit that now shares the land, and how their team is using regenerative practices and traditional Hawaiian food systems to reconnect people with place. From canoe crops to community programs, Dash shares how Starseed is cultivating abundance — not just from the soil, but within the spirit of everyone who visits. 🌱 Connect with Talkin’ Dirt Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@TalkinDirtPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Talkin.Dirt⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TalkinDirt.farm

This week on Talkin’ Dirt, I sit down with Troy and Vi from OK Farms — a 320-acre operation rooted in the heart of Hilo, Hawai‘i. We talk about what real sustainability looks like on the ground: restoring soil health, growing diverse crops through agroforestry, and navigating the challenges of farming in one of the most beautiful and unpredictable places on Earth. They share the story behind their new conservation easement, their approach to regenerative practices, and how these techniques are helping them build resilience from the soil up. It’s an inside look at the balance between tradition, innovation, and stewardship in Hawai‘i’s modern farming landscape. 🌱 Connect with Talkin’ Dirt Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@TalkinDirtPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Talkin.Dirt⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TalkinDirt.farm

In this episode of Talkin’ Dirt, I sit down with Eva Lee, co-founder of Tea Hawai‘i, tucked into the Hawaiian jungle on the lush slopes of Mt. Kīlauea. Eva has been at the forefront of Hawai‘i’s tea movement for decades, helping transform the islands into an unexpected haven for high-elevation, small-batch teas. We talk about the art and science behind cultivating tea in volcanic soil, how elevation and environmental factors shape the flavor of different cultivars, and what it takes to grow a truly local tea industry in the middle of the Pacific. From traditional methods to modern experimentation, Eva’s passion and knowledge pour through every cup. 🌱 Connect with Talkin’ Dirt Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@TalkinDirtPod⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Talkin.Dirt⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TalkinDirt.farm

In this episode of Talkin’ Dirt, I sit down with Stephen Yundt of Puna Gold Estate on Hawaiʻi’s Big Island. Stephen is not only a farmer cultivating a diverse food forest, but also a chocolate maker bringing out the best of cacao grown right in the islands. We talk about how he and his wife Liz have transformed three acres into a thriving mix of tropical crops, the journey from cacao pod to finished bar, and why Hawaiʻi has become such a unique place for chocolate making. Whether you’re a farmer, a foodie, or just love chocolate, this conversation offers a rich taste of what it means to grow and craft chocolate in Hawaiʻi. 🌱 Connect with Talkin’ Dirt Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@TalkinDirtPod⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@Talkin.Dirt⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠TalkinDirt.farm

In this episode of Talkin’ Dirt, I sit down with Nat Bletter, a PhD botanist, chocolate maker, and plant-grafting wizard in Honolulu. We dive into high-density urban farming, the art of grafting dozens of varieties onto a single tree, and the surprising ways food, science, and community come together in his garden. 🌱 Connect with Talkin’ Dirt Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠@TalkinDirtPod⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@Talkin.Dirt Website: ⁠⁠⁠TalkinDirt.farm

In this episode of Talkin’ Dirt, I sit down with Darren Story, the founder of Coastal Sun Farm in Watsonville, California. Coastal Sun is a regenerative cannabis and blueberry farm that uses living soil and biodiversity to grow in harmony with nature. Darren shares his vision for farming that goes beyond products, focusing on healing the land and raising the standard for the industry. 🌱 Connect with Talkin’ Dirt Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@TalkinDirtPod⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@Talkin.Dirt⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠TalkinDirt.farm

In this episode of Talkin’ Dirt, I visit a Seattle farm that turned a simple idea into a thriving pumpkin patch. You’ll hear how a young entrepreneur’s dream grew into a community tradition, bringing families together each fall. From the challenges of starting out, to the joy of seeing kids pick their first pumpkins, this story is all about passion, perseverance, and a love for farming. 🌱 Connect with Talkin’ Dirt Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@TalkinDirtPod⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@Talkin.Dirt⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠TalkinDirt.farm